DISCUSSION OF 2 QUADRATURE METHODS OF EVALUATING BEAM-SHAPE COEFFICIENTS IN GENERALIZED LORENZ-MIE THEORY

A comparison between two quadrature methods of evaluating beam-shape c oefficients in generalized Lorenz-Mie theory, in the case of incident Gaussian beams, is carried out. It is shown that, when the electromagn etic description of the Gaussian beams does not perfectly satisfy Maxw ell's equations, both quadrature methods; are basically flawed. These flaws do not prevent an accurate evaluation of beam-shape coefficients when their nature is correctly identified, because they produce artif acts that can easily be identified and removed. (C) 1996 Optical Socie ty of America